Son of Liberty

by Daron D. Fraley

If the love of a parent can make a young man brave, then Alexander Martinez should have been a selfish coward. For almost sixteen years of his life, Alex had never felt that kind of love. So after new foster parents take him in and teach him what it's like to have a real family--a loving family--and Alex finally experiences the joys that life can provide, he discovers a strength of character buried deep within his soul.

But Alex's dream of family doesn't last. Instead, he finds himself in a society suffering from the aftermath of total collapse, and he realizes that he has to make a choice: Will he choose to protect the liberty and freedom of others, even at the peril of his own life? Or will his own fears and lack of confidence cause him to remain on the sidelines, only to witness the complete and utter destruction of America?

SON OF LIBERTY is a story of post apocalyptic possibilities. It's a little bit "Prepper". Certainly gun friendly. And absolutely patriotic. Long live the Sons of Liberty!

39 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2013

About the author

Daron Fraley was born in Powell, Wyoming, but doesn't consider himself a cowboy. Living in France for a couple of years provided him the opportunity to hone his cooking skills and to become addicted to good food and chocolate. Apart from his loving family, teaching and writing are his two most favorite things in the world. A classic computer geek, he still likes to fish and camp, makes a mean apple or pumpkin pie from scratch, and once fixed a gas clothes dryer using photocopier parts. With all of his interests in music, art, the sciences, and religion (especially religion), he would have been quite comfortable living during the Renaissance. Having toured chilly castles while in France, he is glad he didn't live during that time. This is his first novel.

After ten total years in the wonderful state of Indiana, Daron, his wife Jennifer, and their six children once again live in the beautiful Rockies, close to friends and family in Wyoming and Utah.

Reviews

[Brannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish this story would have been longer! I'm like the child incessantly asking his parents, "Are we there yet?" on long road trips. Well now, as I sit back in my seat and am ready to get this journey started, they inform me that we are already here.... What, Seriously! I don't want to be here, I want to keep going! That is the exact feeling I got after completing this story. I want more!

This story begins with a young man witnessing a brutal act of violence and a burning minivan in the distance. The criminal acts are committed by a gang known as the blockade. As the story progresses you find out that the United States has been bombed and some have been infected with a biological disease known as the plague. The short novella had a "Book of Eli" feel to it. ( A film with Denzel Washington)

The main character, Alex, has a tremendously troublesome childhood, growing up with a foster mom who was on the run and drug him along with her. When she finally is caught, Alex is placed with a family that is loving, kind and are just overall good people. Alex is very lucky being placed with this family not just because they are good, but he is at the age to learn right and wrong, so they teach him. Throughout the story Alex encounters many obstacles to survive. In the end he finds the importance of having someone to fight with, and a cause to fight for.

I believe that there are some great themes and a lot of discussion points throughout this incredibly powerful and patriotic short story. Oh, and the ending.... it's pretty awesome! I highly recommend Son of Liberty!

[A.L. Sowards]

I enjoyed this short story/novelette. I liked reading about the main character, Alex. He grew up with an awful foster mother, then finally ended up in a good, loving home with people who cared about him. As the story opens, the US has self-destructed, disease has wiped out his foster family, and Alex is heading for his foster parents’ cabin in the woods. Alex is likeable—he’s not perfect and he’s scared of the gangs that are roaming the western US, but he learns a lot about courage and serving others as the story progresses. This is definitely a story that will make you think (and might make you cry, but in an inspiring, touching way rather than in a sad, depressed way). I also enjoyed the hopeful feeling the ending left me with—things on earth might get really, really awful, but God is ultimately in charge, and everything will work out in the end. A quick read on a timely theme.